Avila ready for main event fight tonight in Fairfield

Manuel "Tino" Avila says the messages keep coming, even though it's just hours before his big home bout.

People still want tickets.

"I've sold over 200 and I still have people asking me for tickets today," Avila said with a smile at Thursday's weigh-in session at the Courtyard by Marriott in Fairfield.

That's what happens when you fight in your hometown. The Rodriguez High School graduate and Vacaville Police Activities League product is the main event on tonight's boxing card at the Allan Witt Sports Center for a nationally-televised, 10-round super featherweight bout against Sergio "Finito" Frias of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Avila puts an unbeaten 15-0 (six knockouts) record on the line in a fight that headlines a strong schedule featuring several California boxers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the first bout set for 6. Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes will begin broadcasting the Golden Boy Live! event at 7.

Both fighters checked in on Thursday at exactly 122 pounds. Frias stands a little taller than Avila and has a slightly longer reach.

There was no fierce stare down at the weigh-in. The two confidently and quietly sized each other up.

"I don't know anything about him," Avila said. "I finally saw him for the first time today. I'm used to fighting taller people, it's just not been in a while. I have to try and step into his punches and try to outbox him."

Avila's last bout came in May when he knocked out David De La Mora in the second round at the Del Mar Arena in sourthern California. He won a decision over Enrique Quevedo at the Storm House in Salinas in February, using a knock down in the final round to score the win.

Avila hasn't fought in Fairfield since 2012. He had a fight at a sold-out Georgie Duke Sports Center in Vacaville in December of that same year. The 22-year-old fighter claims Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville all as his home turf.

"I was born in Vallejo, raised in Fairfield and trained in Vacaville," said Avila, who works as a conditioning coach at the Duke Center. "I'm part of the whole I-80 chain."

Frias carries a 15-3-2 record with eight knockouts. He is a four-year professional and unbeaten in his last three fights. Frias will be making his Golden Boy Live! and United States debut.

"I've seen a couple of the videos of his fights," Frias said of Avila. "He's a very strong opponent and a very good fighter, clean and technical. I am the same style, so it should be a good fight.

"I'm aggressive when needed," he added. "I like to counterattack and run all over the ring."